Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey has reacted to the Comprehensive Spending Review, announced by the Chancellor yesterday.
He said: “The Government has ambitious plans for reducing crime and improving policing standards across the country, all of which require significant investment to enable PCCs and Chief Constables to improve services locally.
“This work is absolutely necessary to allow policing nationally to recover from the chronic underfunding it has experienced over the last 15 years – the effects of which cannot be reversed overnight. Cleveland Police do a remarkable job in the financial context we’re operating in and I’m grateful to force colleagues for their efforts.
“Whilst the additional £2bn for policing is welcomed, I have concerns that it does not go far enough to work towards the Safer Streets mission to halve knife crime, reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG) and deliver the neighbourhood policing guarantee.
“As it stands, the police funding formula remains deeply flawed and outdated, further disadvantaging forces like Cleveland who are judged on their population size – and not the rate of crime it experiences. I’m also concerned that the current settlement also carries the expectation that PCCs continue to increase the amount local people pay for policing in their council tax.
“On behalf of Cleveland residents, I urge the Government to revise the formula used to calculate funding for police forces and work to ensure sufficient funding is provided to allow police forces to deliver the vital services the public deserve.”
Trailblazer neighbourhoods
Matt has welcomed news that two Cleveland neighbourhoods (Thorntree, Middlesbrough and Central Stockton & Portrack, Stockton-on-Tees) have been selected as trailblazer neighbourhoods.
He said: “It is great news that two of our most deprived communities will benefit from up to £20m of funding as part of the Trailblazer Neighbourhoods scheme intended to develop greater social cohesion.
“I am dedicated to working with partner organisations to deliver safe, strong and confident communities and this funding will no doubt help us in that goal.”